Bryson DeChambeau — Carried by Father’s Day & Payne Stewart — Makes 18th-Hole Sand Save to Win the U.S. Open By 1 Stroke
Some storylines write themselves. It was 1999 when SMU grad and flat-cap-wearing Payne Stewart hit the famous putt on Hole 18 to win the U.S. Open at Pinehurst by one stroke. Later that fall, Stewart was killed in an aviation accident, but his golf legacy transcends time thanks to that iconic clip.
Fast forward 25 years. Another flat-cap-wearing SMU grad, Bryson DeChambeau, began his Sunday quest for the U.S. Open Trophy at Pinehurst with a three-stroke lead. His play was head-and-shoulders above the competition through three rounds. His fan base louder, too. But DeChambeau faltered throughout Sunday, slicing drives into the wire grass at every turn. Meanwhile Rory McIlroy was torching the first 13 holes en route to a two-stroke lead (a five-stroke swing). It was McIlroy (-8) and DeChambeau (-6) with just three holes to play. This fairytale looked over, but Rory bogeyed three of his last four holes, including two missed putts from inside four feet. The latter an earth-shattering collapse on the 18th. McIlroy (-5) entered the clubhouse five-under. But in the final group, 400 yards back, was DeChambeau (-6)… And he was on a mission.
DeChambeau’s 18th: For Payne & Dad
Another mis-hit drive carried Bryson into an unforgiving lie. He had no choice but to chip out from under a tree and into the fairway bunker. From 50-plus yards in a sand trap, one that no golfer had managed to get up-and-down from all weekend, DeChambeau did. He hit a gorgeous sandblast to within five feet and drilled a par-save to erase the pain, for Payne, and fathers everywhere. DeChambeau’s father passed away two years ago. It was his second U.S. Open win, but the first since he lost his dad. He grabbed the trophy, put on the Payne Stewart flat-cap, and pointed to the sky as he shed a tear for his idol and father — on Father’s Day, no less. Watch DeChambeau’s Last 2 Shots
Heartbreak at another major for Rory McIlory, but what a moment for Bryson DeChambeau.
Final Leaderboard (U.S. Open)
B. DeChambeau (-6)
R. McIlroy (-5)
P. Cantlay (-4)
T. Finau (-4)
M. Pavon (-3)
H. Matsuyama (-2)
R. Henley (-1)
X. Schauffele (-1)
*Eight Players Below Par is the Most Ever at a Pinehurst-Hosted U.S. Open
Other Notable Scorecards: S. Burns (E), C. Conners (E), L. Aberg (+1), C. Morikawa (+2), B. Koepka (+6), N. Shipley (+6), A. Scott (+7), C. Smith (+7), J. Spieth (+8), S. Scheffler (+8) | Full Leaderboard
Watch: Sunday Highlights at the U.S. Open
Watch: Bryson DeChambeau’s 18th Hole
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Golf Digest: Bryson DeChambeau Wins at Pinehurst, Holds Off Rory McIlroy
PGA: Bryson DeChambeau Wins 124th U.S. Open, Evokes Memory of Payne Stewart